Social Programme

Welcome to the North London District of the Oddfellows. We are organising an exciting and varied programme of events for the next few months. This is a guide to what has been arranged so far.

Put dates of interest in your personal diary. Alternatively if you are not a member, we want to extend an invitation to you and your friends to attend any events that take your fancy – all are welcome and we like to think we can guarantee you a good time.

Looking for something to do? If so, there is plenty for you to get involved in with the Oddfellows. We are always looking for people to help with care support, social events or writing articles for the Branch Newsletter. If you are interested please call your Branch Secretary today!

Your Oddfellows membership entitles you to specially arranged discounts at many theatrical events.

Email Paul Fitton for a list of the current offers and to receive his regular newsletter.

HEATH ROBINSON GALLERY AND LUNCH AT DAISY'S CAFE

West House, Pinner Memorial Park, West End Lane, Pinner HA5 2AE

Wednesday 25 January

It's time to visit the West House gallery again. A new display of Heath Robinson original illustrations is on view, some of which have not been shown in public before. Heath Robinson was an English cartoonist and illustrator, best known for drawings of eccentric machines. However, his work as an illustrator and painter is also revealed in the exhibition. Afterwards, sample a light lunch, soup, sandwich, cake and a warm drink at Daisy's Café adjoining West House.

Meet at the gallery at 1pm. The gallery is 5 minutes walk from Pinner station (Metropolitan Line) and buses 183, H11, H12 and H13 stop nearby.

NATIONAL ART GALLERY AND NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, FREE CLASSICAL CONCERT, TRAFALGAR SQUARE TOUR AND PUB MEAL

Friday 27 January

Our day out in central London offers you a free guided tour of Trafalgar Square and St Martin's in the Fields, a free master piano recital, lunch and a visit to The National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. A free day out - apart from the pub lunch!

Trafalgar Square Tour

If you missed the Tour on 21 October, then you have another chance to attend. The day starts at 1100 at the foot of Nelson's Column facing Whitehall with a free guided tour of Trafalgar Square, where you can learn about Nelson, the Square's history and facts that you didn't know. Learn about the surrounding buildings too.

National Portrait Gallery

You may join the group in the entrance to the National Portrait Gallery at in St Martin's Lane at 1145 if you prefer. The Gallery has a large collection of paintings and photographs.

Free lunchtime concert at St Martin's in the Fields

Following the tour, we will walk across the road to St Martin's in the Fields, overlooking the square to enjoy a free performance by Korean master pianist MinJung Baek. This talented pianist has performed worldwide. Today's programme is:

Franz Liszt - Sonata in B Minor S. 178 Claude Debussy - La Cathedrale Engloutie Claude Debussy - Feux D'Artifice Eun-Hoe Park — 'Arirang Variations'

The performance starts at 1pm and will last for about 45 minutes. It is a free concert, although you may wish to make a small donation towards the work of St Martin's.

Lunch at The Chandos

We will lunch at 2pm in The Chandos, a Sam Smith' pub, at the north east corner of Trafalgar Square.

National Gallery

With over 2300 paintings in the Collection, there are 2300 reasons to visit the Gallery. From Leonardo da Vinci to Vincent van Gogh, see priceless works of art for free. This session starts at 3pm, meeting at the main entrance.

Directions: the nearest Underground stations to the Gallery are: Charing Cross 230 metres, Leicester Square -195 metres, and Embankment 490 metres; train station Charing Cross.

HARROW AFTERNOON GROUP

DECADES: THE 1950s (and Learn How to...)

Grimsdyke Room, Harrow Arts Centre, Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, Harrow HA5 4EA

Thursday 9 February from 2pm to 4pm

This first event in our look back at Decades is an audio/visual presentation and discussion about the 1950s. Remember Teasy Weasy, Jayne Mansfield and Prince Monolulu, BOAC, Brylcreme, drinks, such as Dubonnet and Babycham and adverts promoting what you were never alone with, which sweets Mum mustn't forget from the shops and the significance of Gibbs SR toothpaste in advertising.

Why not bring along one of your own items from the 1950s and tell other members the story behind it?

There will also be a short presentation about one of the Oddfellows membership benefits. Today's topic is Guidance on Retirement. In our running feature 'Learn How to...' you'll be taught a Home Exercise Routine in 15 minutes — and you won't have to get out of your chair! The event costs £2 to cover room hire and refreshments.

CHEESE PRESENTATION AND SAMPLING

Duchess House 18/19 Warren Street, London WIT 5LR

Tuesday 14 February

The Duchess of Kent Lodge invites you to learn about 5 cheeses and enjoy samples. You'll learn about the history of cheese, where the selected cheeses were first made plus facts you didn't know.

The event starts at 3pm at Duchess House. The entrance is in Grafton Mews. The nearest station is Warren Street (Northern & Victoria lines). Light refreshments will be available.

Names to Lodge Secretary - Keith Potter - 01322 407085 or keith.potter@oddfellows.co.uk

ENFIELD AFTERNOON GROUP

St Andrew's Parish Centre, 36 Silver Street, Enfield EN1 3EG

Thursday 16 February from 2pm to 4pm

You be the Detective: Jack the Ripper. Hear about the crimes, the victims and the suspects and you decide whodunit.

There will also be a short presentation about one of the Oddfellows membership benefits. Today's topic is Guidance on Retirement. You'll be walking away speaking Spanish in our 'Learn How to... in 15 minutes!' session. This is a free event including refreshments.

THE REGENT'S CANAL STROLL

Tuesday 21 February

Join Keith Potter for a two hour stroll along the towpath of a stretch of the Regent's Canal via Camden Market then into Regent's Park finishing at Duchess House / Warren Street Station.

Meet at 11am at Camden Town station on Northern Line.

If you plan to join this walk then please contact Keith Potter in advance. The walk last about two hours walking about four miles. Contact him on 01322 407085 (if necessary, leave a message giving your name, Lodge and a fixed line telephone number) or email him at keith.potter@oddfellows.co.uk

On the day only, in case you are delayed, Keith can be contacted on 07896 120011. (Note this phone will only be switched on between 9.30am and 11.30am on the day and it should not be used for any other contact.)

(Click here for more details)

DR JOHNSON'S HOUSE GUIDED TOUR, DR JOHNSON WALK AND PUB MEAL

Dr Johnsons House, 17 Gough Square, London EC4A 3DE

Wednesday 22 February

An official tour makes all the difference to an event and as usual, our members will benefit from the knowledge of an experienced guide during our visit to Dr Johnson's House.

Built in 1700 Gough Square is a beautifully preserved square tucked away in the city. It still has gas street lights. Number 17 was the home and work place of Samuel Johnson. It was here that he single handedly compiled the first comprehensive English Dictionary, a task that took him 9 years. Now restored to its original condition, the house contains panelled rooms, a pine staircase, and a collection of period furniture, prints and portraits. Situated to the north of Fleet Street, the house is found among a maze of courtyards and passages that are a reminder of historic London.

The one mile walk takes you off the beaten track, through the Inns of Court (De Vinci Code) in London's legal district, and through the mazes of courtyards, alleyways and passages of historic central London. See and learn about Sweeney Todd's barber shop, The Old Curiosity Shop and a lot more. To round off the day, join us for an off-Fleet Street pub meal.

The prices for the guided tour of Dr Johnson's House are: Adults £3.50 (normally £4.50), Seniors and Students £3.50, Children £1.50 and Family ticket £10.

Meet at 12 noon outside the branch of Starbucks on Fleet Street opposite Whitefriars Street. Directions: Tube Temple (Circle & District Line), Holborn or Chancery Lane (Central Line). Bus All routes to Aldwych, Chancery Lane, Fleet Street or St. Paul's. Bus numbers 4, 11, 15, 23, 26, 76 and 172 run along Fleet Street.

Following last year's visit of Harrow's Poetry group, the Herga Poets, we are welcoming them back. This time, the poets were set the challenge of writing poems based on themes from Harrow Oddfellows' Photographic Competition. In our regular Learn How to series of events, you will walk away speaking Spanish after just 10 minutes' instruction! There will also be a short presentation about one of the Oddfellows membership benefits. Today's topic is the Active Travel Club. The event costs £2 to cover room hire and refreshments

House! No not the American television programme. This is the real thing! Join your host Eric Humberstone at Good Companions Lodge for an afternoon of Bingo. The Almshouses are situated in Balls Pond Road opposite Culford Road, close to Dalston Junction. Buses 30, 38, 56 and 277 pass along Balls Pond Road. Buses 67, 76, 149 and 243 pass along nearby Kingsland Road. The nearest tube station is Highbury & Islington (Victoria Line) then bus 30 or 277. The nearest rail station is (Dalston Overground). There is car parking within the grounds and on the side streets.

Hear two Family History Day presentations, including Arsenic Poisoning in the Family.

There will also be a short presentation about one of the Oddfellows membership benefits. Today's topic is Oddfellows online archives. Discover the Meaning of your Surname in the third session of the day and to close, learn relaxation in our 'Learn how to... in 15 minutes!' series of events with a Tai Chi session. This is a free event including refreshments.

The School was founded in 1572 under the Royal Charter granted by Elizabeth Ito John Lyon, a local farmer. His new School House was completed in 1615 and his School, beginning with one recorded pupil, settled into its gradual, if not uninterrupted, growth towards fame. Harrow School has produced 7 British and 1 Indian Prime Ministers and educated members of royalty, most notably King Hussein of Jordan.

The Full Tour lasts about 2 hours. Some or all of the following buildings will be included in the tour: The Fourth Form Room, Old Speech Room Art Gallery, Speech Room, Chapel, Museum of Harrow Life, Alex Fitch Room, Sports Centre and The Vaughan Library (by special arrangement).

Price £6 (normally Adult £7 and Pensioners and Students £6.50). The Full Tour lasts 2 hours. Harrow School is 10 minutes walk from Harrow on the Hill tube station on the Metropolitan Line. Tours begin in the School Yard, which is in front of the Old Schools, reached by going up Church Hill and turning left through the large iron gates.

Preserved since 1895 this writer's house in the heart of one of London's most famous creative quarters tells the story of Thomas and Jane Carlyle. The couple moved here from their native Scotland in 1834 and became an unusual but much-loved celebrity couple of the 19th-century literary world. Discover the writer who inspired Charles Dickens. Learn about the Carlyles' many other illustrious friends. Enjoy the evocative atmosphere in this Victorian literary shrine.

Stroll for a couple of minutes to the beautiful Georgian houses of Cheyne Walk, on the banks of the Thames to learn about the famous 'Who's Who of Residents'. Dozens of well-known people have lived there, including Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithful', John Paul Getty and George Best.

Exclusive Oddfellows prices: adult £4.50 or less (normally £5.10), child free (normally 80p) and family £11.50 or less (normally £12.80). The Cheyne Walk guide.

Directions: Off Oakley Street (between the King's Road and Albert Bridge), National Trust sign on corner of Upper Cheyne Row, or off Cheyne Walk, National Trust sign on corner of Cheyne Row. Bus: 11, 19, 22, 49, 319 to Carlyle Square then walk down Bramerton Street, turn right into Glebe Place or 170 to Albert Bridge. Train: Victoria 2 miles and bus 11 or 211 to Chelsea Town Hall and 10 minutes walk. Tube: Sloane Square (District and Circle lines) and bus 11, 211 or 319 to Chelsea Town Hall and 10 minutes walk. South Kensington (Piccadilly, District and Circle lines) and bus 49 to Carlyle Square/King's College and 5 minutes walk.